Investing in education and technical skills development
Our investments in high-quality education and skills development do not only address this societal imperative and provide young people with entrepreneurial and commercially viable skills, but they also help build self-confidence and self-esteem and a stronger pool of talent from which Motus and the automotive industry are able to source tomorrow's leaders.
Motus Technical Academy
The Motus Technical Academy1 is the largest training academy for motor artisans in South Africa. It offers full apprenticeships and learnerships for motor, diesel and motorcycle technicians, auto-electricians and spray-painters, as well as skills programmes and short courses. Our accredited artisan training institutions in Gauteng, Western Cape, and Bloemfontein (four institutions in total) train around 1 600 apprentices and technical workers annually for both Motus and the broader automotive industry.
Working with the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Academy supports the largest project under the National Skills Fund. The three-year project ends in 2023 and aims to train around 600 technical artisans.
2022 highlights
Apprenticeships
Number of artisans trained
614
apprentices trained were paid by Motus – 86% are black
(2021: 893; 83% )
Qualified artisans
376
artisans qualified during the year with 62% being from other companies
(2021: 373; 69% )
83
qualified apprentices were hired by Motus and are part of our feeder pipeline for critical workshop positions
(2021: 82)
Jobs supported
20
trainers were employed by the Academy
(2021: 27)
| 1 | Programmes are accredited by the merSETA, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and the National Artisan Moderation Body. |
Motus Family Bursary Fund
The Motus Family Bursary Fund assists qualifying employees in South Africa with funding relief in terms of the costs to send their children to selected South African tertiary institutions from the second year of study onwards.
2022 highlights
Our investment
R9 million
disbursed through the fund over three years
(2020 to 2022)
Beneficiaries
27
beneficiaries supported in the 2022 calendar year. Students receive a maximum amount of R45 000
(2021: 6)
Imperial and Motus Community Trust
(partnership with the National Department of Basic Education)
The Imperial and Motus Community Trust (the Trust) builds and maintains school libraries and resource centres to encourage reading and promote higher literacy levels at under-resourced public schools in Gauteng, South Africa. We have committed to investing a minimum of R5,5 million in the Trust each year to 2025. Motus brands provide funding over and above this amount. Motus has supported the Trust since 2003. Two trustees on the Trust's board are Motus representatives and we are responsible for operational oversight.
The school libraries and resource centres benefit school children, teachers and their wider communities. They provide easy access to education materials, thousands of books and media, as well as computers connected to the internet. Orientation programmes for teachers and learners explain the benefits of the resources available and how to use them.
Reading assessments are conducted before the formal reading programme starts to determine the reading levels of the school children, and to provide a benchmark to measure the impact of the programme. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the overall performance compared to prior years' achievements, it has brought the value of the libraries and resource centres to the forefront. During this period, the Trust developed new lesson plans to help teachers during lockdowns, which significantly improved the number of visits to the facilities, and some schools used the facilities to participate in virtual meetings with the Department of Basic Education.
2022 highlights
- New libraries and resource centres were opened in Encochoyini Primary School in Phola Park, Thokoza (July 2021), Imfundo Middle School in Evaton, Sebokeng (September 2021), Abram Hlophe Primary School in Katlehong (October 2021), Dikgabane Primary School in Chiawelo, Soweto (November 2021), Windmill Park School in Boksburg (February 2022), Ekuphumeleleni Higher Primary School in Soweto (May 2022) and Thulasizwe Primary School in Boksburg (June 2022).
- Mini-libraries were renovated and handed over to Tshireletso Primary School in Soweto (July 2021), Abinala Primary School in Vosloorus (February 2022), Magasela Primary School in Evaton, Sebokeng (February 2022) and Phahamang Primary School in Evaton North (June 2022).
- Selected learners from two primary schools participating in the newly launched Sunshine Programme, were allowed to access books on smartphone devices to help improve their reading speed and comprehension. Assessments revealed that the improvement achieved by these learners was greater than those who were not part of the programme. The Trust is assessing the feasibility of extending the programme to more schools.
- To celebrate Literacy Month (September), storytelling plays based on books found in the library were held for foundation phase learners at 10 schools to develop their interest in reading.
- The top-performing Grade 4 to Grade 7 learners were assessed on mathematics and literacy competency.
- Social safety and K53 learner's licence education was delivered to high schools in the Imperial and Motus Community Trust's network, with one class from each school assessed on their understanding of the presentation.
- All library assistants received training on reading and phonics teaching, traditional games, team building and how to analyse books and conduct book clubs. In addition, nurses from the Unjani Clinics network delivered motivational talks to library assistants on health and better eating habits.
- Renault sponsored the Trust with a Koleos valued at R374 000 to replace the Trust's stolen delivery vehicle.
- A pupil who attended both a primary and high school within the Trust's network, completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) qualification with distinction (cum laude). The Trust has followed our alumni's progress and provided assistance where it could throughout her education journey.
The Trust's impact
63
school libraries and resource centres
(2021: 52)
Over 72 000
learners reached
(2021: over 61 300)
2 070
school teachers assisted
(2021: 1 600)
65
full-time jobs supported with many having been unemployed people from the communities where the libraries and resource centres are located. Library training is provided to all staff
(2021: 65)
Our investment
R14,0 million
invested during the year
(2021: R11,7 million)
YES learners
12
YES learners will gain workplace experience with the Trust in 2022/23
5
of the 13 YES learners who gained workplace experience with the Trust in 2021/22 have been appointed as Trust employees
The Trust's objective
100 000 learners
reached by 2025 (around 100 libraries and resource centres)
#MobilityForGood
11 new library and resource centres opened in 2022, encouraging over 72 000 school children to read and learn through books and technology.
Other education and skills development initiatives
South Africa
- Renault donated new ablution facilities and uniforms to learners at Mangwele Combined School in Soweto. In partnership with the Trust, a designated area will be converted into a mini-library during the 2023 calendar year.
- Aftermarket Parts supports six schools1 located in the communities in which its employees and customers live, to uplift, develop and empower them to produce
well-rounded students. Nine children from Madibatlou Middle School were awarded bursaries in 2022 – three each from Grades 10, 11 and 12. Four beneficiaries who matriculated with distinctions were awarded bursaries to continue their studies at university. The business segment also supports seven pre-school projects.
| 1 | Dias Farm School in Gqeberha, Edward Primary School in Maboloka, Rockford School in Phoenix, Dagbreek Skool in Carletonville, Thando Autism School in Mdantsane and the Madibatlou Middle School in Olifantsfontein. |
#MobilityForGood
Motus joined in the International Children's Book Day celebrations, which aims to inspire a love of reading in young people and call attention to children's books.
